May 18, 2004 [Volume 5, Issue 11]
To Your Health is brought to you by:
- Low Back Pain: Not Just for Adults Anymore
- To Everything There Is a Season -- Even Cholesterol
- Sometimes, Going to Work Just Doesn't Pay
Low Back Pain: Not Just for Adults Anymore
Although
back pain is usually thought of as an "adult" problem (research shows
that up to 80 percent of all adults worldwide will suffer low back pain
at least once in their lifetime) new evidence suggests that back pain
is becoming an increasing problem for children and teenagers, and that
a variety of factors can lead to this condition.
Researchers questioned more than 10,000 Israeli schoolchildren in 1st
through 6th grade regarding their average weight, average weight of backpacks,
if there were on-campus facilities to store backpacks, the height of chairs
and desks in relation to
student height, seating arrangements, and physical activity during recess.
Results: Between 30 percent and 54 percent of the students carried bags containing 15 percent or more of their body weight; almost 15 percent of the 1st graders and 20 percent of 6th graders sat in chairs of "inappropriate" height; in 74 percent of the classes, students sat with their sides facing the instructor and in another 35 percent, students sat with their backs to the teacher; 30 percent of the schools did not have storage facilities for backpacks; in 48 percent of the schools, there was no organized play activity during recess and in another 6 percent there was no provision for any type of physical activity during recess.
Parents, your children may be at risk of developing low back pain. Fortunately, you can take several steps to maintain your child's health: Monitor your child's backpack for weight; talk to the school about repositioning desks and physical activity; and of course, have your child examined regularly by a doctor of chiropractic - it could prevent years of unwanted back pain.
To learn more about back pain and the chiropractic approach to its prevention, visit www.chiroweb.com/find/tellmeabout/backpain.html.
Reference: Limon S, Valinsky LJ, Ben-Shalom Y. Children at risk. Risk factors for low back pain in the elementary school environment. Spine, March 15, 2004;29(6):697-702.
To Everything There Is a Season -- Even Cholesterol
In 1968, The Zombies made it to #3 on the Billboard charts with a song that reminded listeners it was "the time of the season for loving." It's highly unlikely that any group is going to top the musical charts writing about the following subject, but a new study suggests that winter may not be the best "time of the season" when it comes to high cholesterol levels.
Researchers examined 517 healthy people over a 12-month period, documenting their cholesterol levels, diet, activity, exposure to light, and general behavior. While there were no significant changes in diet and calorie intake, cholesterol levels varied an average of 3.9 points per season in men, with a peak increase in December; in women, seasonal cholesterol levels varied as much as 5.4 points, peaking in January.
Overall, 22 percent more participants had total cholesterol levels of 240 or higher (considered high cholesterol) in the winter than in the summer. According to the researchers, the changes in blood cholesterol levels were due in large part to seasonal changes in blood plasma volume, which resulted from changes in temperature and/or physical activity levels between the winter and summer months.
Now that you know the affect of the seasons, have your cholesterol checked. And talk to your doctor of chiropractic about ways to change your diet or increase your activity levels year round.
For more on general health and wellness, visit www.chiroweb.com/find/archives/general.
Reference: Ockene IS, Chiriboga DE, Stanek EJ, et al. Seasonal variation in serum cholesterol levels. Archives of Internal Medicine, April 26, 2004;164:863-870.
Sometimes, Going to Work Just Doesn't Pay
Some people like to "tough it out" and come to work every day, regardless of how under the weather they feel; however, this might not be the best idea: Employees who work while sick are often less productive than healthy employees. Research is showing that in some instances, this slowdown in production - known as "presenteeism" - may cost a company more than if an employee stays home for the day.
Researchers
tried to estimate the losses in productivity caused by common health conditions
such as allergies and headaches, and compared that estimate with other
costs associated with the condition. The estimates were based on about
375,000 employees, including claims for medical care and disability over
a three-year period.
The analysis showed that for many conditions, the costs of presenteeism were greater than other health care costs, such as absenteeism or health benefits. When other costs were added to losses from presenteeism, absenteeism, health benefits and disability benefits, the most expensive condition for employers was high blood pressure ($392 per employee per year), followed by heart disease ($368), mental health problems ($348), arthritis ($327) and allergies ($271).
If you're an employer, consider examining your company's sick-time policy and adjust it if necessary so employees don't feel burdened to come to work when they are sick. As an employee, take the day off the next time you are sick. Toughing it out will likely prolong your illness, and you'll be less productive and end up costing your company money in the long run.
To learn more about how to stay healthy - on the job and off - talk to your chiropractor and visit www.chiroweb.com/find/archives/general/wellness.
Reference: Goetzel RD, Long SR, Ozminkowski RJ, et al. Health, absence, disability, and presenteeism cost estimates of certain physical and mental health conditions affecting U.S. employers. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine April 2004;46(4):398-412.
This issue features a number of articles you will want to share with your family, friends and co-workers. Please feel free to forward this newsletter to them via e-mail. If you have received this e-mail newsletter from someone else, you may subscribe free of charge and begin receiving your own copy by going to: www.chiroweb.com/newsletter/TYH/subscribe.php
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